Authorities are asking the public for help Saturday identifying the vehicle that struck and killed a 16-year-old bicyclist in a parking lot at Exposition Park in a possible road-rage episode.
The bicyclist was struck around 4:30 p.m. Friday, California Highway Patrol Officer Sergio Garcia told City News Service.
“A preliminary report suggests an altercation occurred between a group of bicyclists and a vehicle on Figueroa Street, north of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard,” according to a statement released Saturday by the CHP’s Southern Division. “The altercation continued into a parking lot on Exposition Park property, where the bicyclist was struck by a vehicle. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The victim, described as a Hispanic male, approximately 16 years old, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Los Angeles City Fire Department.”
According to KCAL9, around 40 bicyclists riding south on Figueroa Street entered the parking lot and the motorist driving a sedan followed them inside, accelerated toward the bicyclists, struck the victim and sped away from the lot.
The sedan driver and the bicycle riders allegedly had a verbal confrontation prior to the fatal collision, according to police.
“It’s a tragic incident and 100% preventable, avoidable. It should have never happened,” CHP Sgt. Dan Kene said at a news conference at the scene after the collision.
No vehicle description was provided, but the CHP reportedly was interviewing several witnesses to the collision. The area where the victim was stuck is on state property.
Anyone with information about the vehicle or the driver was urged to contact the CHP’s Major Crimes Unit at 323-644-9550 during normal business hours, or the Los Angeles Communication Center at 323-259-3200 after hours.